CPA Exam Dates 2026: Schedule, Score Release & Windows

CPA exam dates at a glance

This page covers the mechanics Indian candidates actually need: how continuous testing works, the Discipline window constraint that drives sequencing decisions, every 2026 score release date from AICPA's published schedule, and a four-section sequencing strategy. For the full application process before any of this begins, see the step-by-step guide to becoming a CPA from India.

How continuous testing works — and the one exception

The CPA exam moved to continuous testing, which means Core sections have no blackout periods and no fixed exam windows. You can sit AUD, FAR or REG on any day a Prometric centre has availability — including Prometric centres across India. The only scheduling gate is your Notice to Schedule (NTS): once issued, it is valid for generally six months, and you must sit the section before it expires or forfeit the fee and reapply.

The exception is the Discipline section. Unlike the three Core papers, BAR, ISC and TCP are administered only in the first calendar month of each quarter — January, April, July and October. If you miss a window, you wait until the next quarter. Because the Discipline result takes roughly six weeks to release after the window closes, planning your Discipline slot early protects your 30-month credit clock.

2026 CPA score release dates — Core sections

Core scores are released on a rolling cycle. The table below shows every 2026 target release date published by the AICPA. The left column is the date by which AICPA must receive your exam data file from Prometric — not the date you sit. Allow 24–48 hours after testing for Prometric to transmit the file. All dates are targets and subject to change.

Source: AICPA score release schedule, published January 2026. Dates are targets and subject to change. Your score cannot be released until Prometric transmits your exam data file to the AICPA — allow 24–48 hours after testing for that transmission.

2026 CPA score release dates — Discipline section

Discipline sections are administered only in the first month of each quarter. The score release lag is substantially longer than for Core — roughly six weeks after the testing window closes. Plan your Discipline slot accordingly: if you need to see the result before a licensing deadline, the October window's December release may be too late in the calendar year.

How to sequence all four sections

The exam allows sections in any order, but sequence affects risk. The standard advice is FAR first because it is the broadest section — passing it early means the most demanding paper is behind you and your credit window is running on the section most candidates struggle to pass quickly. AUD and REG build on the conceptual base FAR establishes, so they typically follow. Most candidates leave their Discipline section last, after all three Core papers are cleared, because it represents a specialisation rather than a foundation.

Frequently asked questions

Are there specific CPA exam dates I need to register for?

For Core sections (AUD, FAR, REG), no — you pick any available Prometric slot year-round. For the Discipline section, you must sit within the first calendar month of a quarter: January, April, July or October. Outside those months, Discipline testing is not available.

How long after the exam do scores come out?

Core scores typically release 8–18 days after the AICPA receives your data file from Prometric. Discipline scores take roughly six weeks after the testing window closes. The full 2026 target dates are in the tables above.

What is the 30-month credit window?

Once you pass your first section, you have 30 months to pass the remaining three. Any section passed more than 30 months after your first pass loses its credit and must be retaken. Some states allow up to 36 months — verify your board's rule before planning your sequence.

Can I take two CPA sections in the same month?

Yes — there is no rule against sitting two or more Core sections in the same month. You cannot, however, hold two open NTS for the same section at the same time. Different sections can be booked concurrently.

Does the Discipline section testing window affect my NTS?

Your NTS is generally valid for six months. If you receive your NTS in December but plan to sit the Discipline section in April, confirm the NTS expiry date covers the April window. If it does not, the NTS will expire before you can test and you will need to reapply and pay again.

How long do I have to wait before retaking a failed section?

You must wait at least 72 hours after your score is released before re-registering for the same section. For Core sections there is no further blackout — once you re-register and receive a new NTS, you can book the earliest available Prometric slot.

When should I book Prometric for the CPA exam in India?

Book as soon as you receive your NTS. Indian Prometric centres have limited slots, particularly in January and April when Discipline candidates compete for the same openings. Check the current Prometric rescheduling fee tiers before your appointment — free cancellation applies beyond a certain number of days, with fees escalating as the appointment approaches. Confirm the current thresholds on Prometric's scheduling portal or in the Prometric centres India guide.